HOT PICKKirmen UribeFranklin Art WorksBasque poet Kirmen Uribe, whose debut collection won Spain's 2001 Premio de la Critica, writes astonishingly moving verse with wisdom and skill far beyond his years. Currently one of the best-known Basque-language writers, Uribe is an important contemporary voice from a vital but largely unknown language. Uribe's poetry dexterously melds the urban and contemporary with the lyricism of an ancient Basque oral tradition. His new collection, "Meanwhile Take My Hand" (Graywolf Press), is sharply alive, frank, sincere, wry and poignant. In these poems are the addicts of Spanish coastal fishing towns, paved-over rivers of urbanized medieval cities and the remains of loving relationships. According to Uribe, the Basque phrase "Bitartean heldu eskutik," which became the book's title, means "what you say when there's nothing at all you can say." Uribe's poems are superbly translated into English by Elizabeth Macklin, herself the author of two poetry collections. Her crisp, pure translations have appeared in the New Yorker, Circumference and Open City, and won her a PEN Translation Fund grant. This Thursday, as part of a national publication tour, Uribe and Macklin will read from "Meanwhile Take My Hand" at Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis. This multimedia event will feature the photographs of Beth Dowe, and a video installation by Spanish artists Jay King and Mario Diaz de Leon. 7 p.m. Free. 1021 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls. 612-872-7494.AUDRA OTTO

Ramona AfricaJack Pine Community TheaterThe MOVE Organization is a group of Philadelphia-based revolutionaries. Committed to their belief in love, natural law and liberation from capitalism, members of the group have taken the surname "Africa" and live communally. On August 8, 1978, police attacked their home with water hoses and tear gas. An officer was killed during the altercation. Autopsy results showed that the bullet traveled in a downward motion, and although all MOVE members had been hiding in the basement at the time, nine MOVE activists were convicted of murder and sentenced to 30-years-to-life in prison. On May 13, 1985, explosives were dropped on MOVE's rooftop from a police helicopter. Six adults and five children were killed. Ramona Africa survived the attack but was arrested and convicted of riot and conspiracy. She spent the next seven years in prison, and upon her release, rejoined the struggle to free all political prisoners, including the MOVE 9 and Mumia Abu-Jamal. This Thursday, Ramona Africa comes to Minneapolis for a dinner and discussion. The event is sponsored by the Twin Cities Eco-Prisoner Support Committee. (See article for more info.) 6 p.m. $5-$15 suggested, no one turned away. 2518 E. Lake St., Mpls. 612-729-2873.KATRINA PLOTZ

Rachel Corrie: A Life For OthersFriends Meeting HouseSince the state of Israel was established in 1948, Palestinians have suffered immensely. Land confiscation, harassment at checkpoints and violent abuse from soldiers is part of Palestinian daily life. The Israeli occupation of Palestine is aided by $3 billion a year in U.S. tax dollars. Israel currently receives more U.S. aid than any other country, despite involvement in human rights abuses and numerous violations of international law. On March 16, 2003, American peace activist Rachel Corrie was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to prevent a Palestinian home from demolition. A volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, the 23-year-old was speaking into a bullhorn and wearing a bright orange vest at the time of her death. This weekend, learn more about Rachel's life and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by attending this 30-minute drama put on by the War Plays Project. A discussion follows, and a second performance takes place Saturday at St. Joan of Arc Church. 7:30 p.m. Donations accepted. 1725 Grand Ave., St. Paul. 651-696-1642. Apr. 21. 7:30 p.m. 4537 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.KATRINA PLOTZ

Saint Paul Art CrawlVarious LocationsOne of the largest events of its type in the Twin Cities, the semi-annual Saint Paul Art Crawl is a self-guided tour of over 175 artists' studios and galleries in downtown St. Paul neighborhoods. Art in all media and price ranges is on display and for sale. Fri. 6 â€“ 10 p.m.; Sat. 2 â€“ 10 p.m.; Sun. noon â€“ 5 p.m. Various locations. 651-292-4373 or stpaulartcrawl.org.BETSY MOWRY

Modest MouseOrpheum TheaterOf all the indie-gone-mainstream acts to break through to popular acclaim in the last few years (The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire), it's hard to debate that Modest Mouse is the most compelling and envelope-pushing group of the whole lot. Still riding the melodic mad dog bark of mercurial frontman Isaac Brock, Modest Mouse may have sanded off some of their rougher edges as they've left the world of dirty rock clubs behind in favor of swank theaters, but they're still roughly eight times edgier than most bands selling similar numbers in America today. The group's latest, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, features unlikely new member Johnny Marr (best known for his ringing guitar hooks with '80s UK icons The Smiths) and proves that MM's newfound wide lens pop ambition fits perfectly with its always frenzied and fractured rhythms. With Love as Laughter, Archives. 7:30 p.m. All Ages. $30.50. 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-339-7007. Also playing Sat.ROB VAN ALSTYNE

Deborah KeenanHamline UniversityThe verse of award-winning poet Deborah Keenan has been compared by D. Susan Livingston to that of Emily Dickinson; her images "startled from a dream that disorient and challenge our perceptions even as they delight us with their inventions." Keenan, whose numerous poetry collections include "Good Heart," "Happiness" and "Kingdoms," writes verse that is both earnest and astoundingly skillful, candid and enchanting--an absolute pleasure to read. Currently the Edelstein Keller Minnesota author of Distinction at the U of M, Keenan undoubtedly deserves her status as one of the Twin Cities' most celebrated poets. This Friday evening, help celebrate the publication of her eighth book, "Willow Room, Green Door: New and Selected Poems" (Milkweed Editions), with a reading at Hamline University. Written over the course of three decades, this extraordinary collection of new and selected poems presents a body of work that is expressive variously of love and rage, vulnerability and authority, distraction and focus, and perhaps above all, a sharply empathetic sense of observation. Keenan's poetry balances holding on to what is dear with letting go of what cannot be changed. With refreshing curiosity, these poems capture rich layers of life in trial and bliss alike. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sundin Music Hall: 1531 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul. 651-523-2459.AUDRA OTTO

Mikey DreadCaboozeReggae legend Mikey Dread is in town, pushing his new album, Life Is A Stage. It's a fine addition to his already strong catalogue (World Tour, Rasta In Control), and it promises to be a damned good night, catching him in action. The guy has worked with the Clash, and, in fact, produced their albums Bank Robber and Sandanista. You'd be a fool to stay home. Ace Afro-Cuban rockers New Primitives open. Hosted by III Kings Sound System. 8:30 p.m. $14/$16. 18+. 917 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-6425.DWIGHT HOBBES

Lucy KaplanskyCedar Cultural CenterLucy Kaplansky's The Red Thread (Red House Records) is one of the sexiest albums since Joni Mitchell's Court & Spark, brandishing that most alluring quality of all, wizened smarts. If you can listen to cuts like "I Had Something," "Off and Running" and "Hole In The Head" without wondering what it'd be like to know the singer up close and personal, it's time to cash in your hand. Kaplansky is in town to push her new album Over the Hills. If you're a fan of good music, fine singing and irresistible charisma, odds are you wanna be there. 8 p.m. $24. 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-2674.DWIGHT HOBBES

Rally for YouthNorth High SchoolYouth today face a future with fewer opportunities for college and employment. Youth of color are especially targeted for military recruitment, or for cells in the ever-expanding prison industry. But a new generation is awakening, and as media predicts another "long, hot summer of violence," youth are rallying to stop the violence and start political action. On Saturday, a variety of spoken word, hip-hop and gospel artists, as well as, emcee B. Wright of B-86 will gather at North High School. The event features speakers such as David Barr (playwright of "The Face of Emmett Till"), Chris Benson (co-author of "The Death of Innocence") and Keith Beauchamp (filmmaker of "The Untold story of Emmett Till"), as well as players from the Timberwolves, Vikings and Twins. Musical performers include Kanye West, David Banner, Mint Condition and others. Teens, college students and young adults ages 18-35 are urged to participate. 11:45 a.m. â€“ 2 p.m. Free. 1500 James Ave. N., Mpls. 612-668-1700.LYDIA HOWELL

The WalkmenTrocaderosNYC outfit the Walkmen have many disparate interests: They like to write novels together in the tour van, throw together tributes to classics by Harry Nilsson (they actually released a remake of the entire 1974 John Lennon-produced Nilsson album Pussy Cats), and oh, when they find the time, make damn compelling albums of their own, such as the moody guitar-driven epic A Hundred Miles Off. Centered around reverberating electric guitar trills and lead singer Hamilton Leithauser's keening rasp, the Walkmen make music perfect for rainy spring evenings. With headlining act Kaiser Chiefs and fellow openers The Little Ones. 9 p.m. $25. All Ages. 107 N. 3rd Ave., Mpls. 612-465-0440.ROB VAN ALSTYNE

Missing Numbers CD Release ShowTurf ClubIf there's a band at the end of the world, that band is probably Missing Numbers. Since their first album in 2004, this Jimmy Peterson (of Bellwether) project has broken and weathered from a spaciously unspooling classic rock outfit into a clattering rattle bag. In a slick, streamlined age, Missing Numbers' new disc, More Salt?, is defiantly hydraulic, steam-powered and rusty, grinding along on a shot of Morphine (thanks to the tenor and baritone saxes of Hall Sanders) and co-piloted by the ghost of Bone Machine-era Tom Waits. Layers of grime and distortion transform Peterson's voice into the calls of a carnival barker, and John Crist's drums sound like they've been replaced with the burnt out shells of Volkswagens and discarded gas stoves. Echoing voices drift through "Clean Living," Mike Derrick's slinkily frayed bassline anchors the handclap groove of "Unlucky Numbers," and "10,000 Tens" drifts through a smokey blue haze of beatnik-leaning poetry and free blowing sax, completing a central triptych that would be at home soundtracking a Jarmusch, Wenders or Lynch film. This is ghostly, burning stuff. With Rank Strangers, The Slats and Faux Jean. 9 p.m $5. 21+. Corner of University and Snelling Aves., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.STEVE McPHERSON